De - Stressing in the Garden

One of my favourite ways to de-stress is to get into the garden. It is of the best ways I know of reducing my stress ( discounting the thorns on my rose bushes which has me muttering and 'ouch'ing a few choice words out loud) .

Is there a better way to celebrate the arrival of Spring ?

Aug 30th 5.30pm

Love our garden seat -we are taking it.

Mia using my  foam Herb box for scratching post.

I didn't take this pic of our Backyard - taken in May

With the weather warming up over the last two weeks, it meant we have been able to get a lot done in Charlotte's garden and the backyard garden. I have taken cuttings of all our roses, pruned and tidied it all up. It looks very bare now. I'm only planting herbs at the moment so no vegies except maybe tomatoes if I can find someone to water them.

Whether you love tending roses, native shrubs, caring for your lawn or pot plants , or even just pulling out a few weeds it burns a few calories too. Gardening for me works off stress and brings  a little peace to our hectic lifestyle and more important the results are pleasing to the eye.
 
The wattle at the farm is blooming already (but going) and I have to think about our garden plans there.

My favourite garden magazine is ABC Gardening Australia magazine. I have stacks of back issues I keep stashed away (a lot were given to us).

I received a copy of September issue of  ABC Gardening Australia magazine in the mail yesterday. 

GARDENING AUSTRALIA magazine is born from the TV show, is the bible for novice gardeners and green thumbs, and is Australia's leading gardening title.)  This issue has so many ideas for me to start rolling up my sleeves , donning my gloves and pulling on my work boots.

I was excited to see there is an article about transplanting and moving an entire garden.

TRANSPLANTING A GARDEN
Imagine moving home and taking your entire garden with you, roots and all. 

Credit -click this link to see the issue

Also, in September, I like these green ideas  -

Gardening Australia explores the changes readers are making to reduce waste within their homes, with simple (and economical) ideas such as:

• Nude Food - When shopping, choose low or no packaging and take your own bags (Nude food, was a term used by a 7 year old boy who wrote in, quite catchy!);
  

•  Boxed Goodies – use empty cardboard food boxes to place vegie peelings and worm scraps in each day, then put the whole page into the worm bin- the worms eat the scraps and the box so there is no emptying and washing of buckets.
  

Out now , the September issue of ABC Gardening Australia magazine is available from ABC Shops, newsagencies, supermarkets or by subscription.
A perfect Father's day idea as subscriptions are 40% until 17/9 ~$47
Subscribe today on 1300 656 933 or see the website http://www.gardeningaustralia.com.au/
for more information too.

I received a complimentary September copy only.
I chose to write this post myself because I enjoy the magazine.


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10 ways to stress less while your husband is having an MRI

My husband is off having an Brain MRI right now , hopefully as we speak.

He had a follow up appointment with the Radiation Oncologist at Cancer care centre , all seems good. A huge relief .

Then he saw a Neurologist because of the the ongoing headaches. They decided they would do another MRI just to rule out anything, it's been 11 months and 1 weeks since his last one.

It was supposed to be 3 weeks ago but 15 mins after they booked the scan (7pm the same day after the appointments) by the time he had walked up to give/receive informative the machine had broken down.
They think it is more likely stress, and they told him to adjust his medications too.

I am not stressing. 


Last week , when Sam had his annual Neurofibromatosis  [NF1] review at the Children's hospital clinic . We saw the Specialist not just a registrar . She decided Sam needs a brain MRI too. Again just to rule out anything causing his vision changes.

The eye appointment 3 weeks ago shows his eyesight is slightly worse in left eye. The eye they can't see the optic nerve in because of the myelinated nerve fibres covering the disc.

In children his age they give them a trial mock MRI first to see if they will cooperate and lie still enough without a general anaesthetic. When I mentioned we were going away for 2 months in 3 weeks, she said let's try to get it done before you go...have n't heard yet.

If he can have it done without a GA the wait will not be as long. I am not stressing ... !

How do I stress less ?




(Just what I am doing)

I said to myself "I can manage at least a few of these every day" ...

He just called and is on his way home.
How do you cope with stress ?

Edited to Link up with Sif @ At the bottom of the garden's 10 things on Tuesday.
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How to be happier ~ Cope better with stress

Have you ever had weeks days on end where things seem to be crumbling around you  ?
More lows less highs.

Momentarily it can make you unhappy and very stressed .

My list of woes is as long as a piece of string ; some days I feel like I dangling on the end of a frayed rope.

• Yesterday we one sick little fellow , vomiting half the night & through the day. Ensuring that I had a mountain of extra washing (at the farm in a tiny machine...still better than hand washing).

• Last night, we had to euthanise one of our 12 cow$ after she broke her leg. Lucky DH called a neighbour and he did the deed (we have no guns-thank goodness). Consequently, DH was in a very snappy mood. I know it was unavoidable but he felt terrible. We were both tired too from sleep interruption with the spewy boy in our bed from 3am.

• I was also 'enlightened' about a few facts - I didn't know about before and that I can't talk about. Not fair.

• The Teen lost his well paying job due to tardiness in arriving at work and a day off without notifying them. He also had 2 sick days earlier the same week. DH rang and they said though he was a good worker and worked hard but they couldn't rely on him to turn up.

• Wednesday morning we got a call about a house inspection . We rushed about to get everything immaculate and an hour later it was cancelled.

• Thursday I thought I'd 'lost' one of my 4yrolds in the caravan park in/at the National park - no less.  Surrounded by tents/campers, caravans & cabins and trees & bushes .Sam was playing hide & seek with his twin in the playground one minute right in front of me, the next minute he was missing. Joel & I called for him - no response. I rushed 100ms down the hill to where hubby was ...not there. I ran back up the hill screaming for him , my heart racing with fear .!Then I saw a little bit of red [cap]. The little bugga was hiding behind the BBQ's. I was very angry with him , instead of being relieved. He didn't answer when we yeelllllllllllled at top of our voices called his name100 times. It was not my finest moment as a mother as I grabbed him and marched him back to DH.
• There is more but I'll stop here before you nod off.

Multitasking though one of my strong points (at times) , makes me a very cranky mum when I start  to drop the balls I am juggling. I am short ,snappy and exasperated with them for minor transgressions. 

I saw this at Muddled up Mumma.Yesterday.
I am glad I did.
I know it is my choice to be happier or NOT .
To be stressed or less stressed or manage and cope with my stress better.
How do you cope with stress ?
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Wordless Wednesday - Soaking up Sunshine , Song & Sea

Aussie Wordless Wednesday

“May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more. May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door.” Irish Blessing ...for tomorrow !

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I thank you for joining in ; please enter the url of your post and image linky, link back so others can join in too. 

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Ups and Down

Somedays when we feel we could all use a little more
♥

Leunig

1. Guided Imagery like this
2. Journaling ... blogging
3. Sex (I didn't write this)
   
4. Laughter( Lol Cats and dogs are a good start)
   
5. Music Therapy & Listen To Music
6. Take a Walk I have been every day
   
7. Plant a Garden - I love my rose garden
8. Eat a Balanced Diet
9. Enjoy Aromatherapy ..stop and smell the roses or a dab of Lavender
10. Reduce Caffeine Intake
11. Drink in Moderation
12. Don’t Procrastinate
13. Learn Assertive Communication Skills
14. Share a funny joke about Extra Sauce or watch some Youtube funny & cute baby videos
    thanks Lily
    This has to be the cutest little boy rocking to Florence and the Machine's 'The Dog Days are Over' or
    

Just don't try it all in one day !


A few of my other favourites are

1. Pray ... talk to God it works for me !
   
2. Dance to your favourite music when doing the housework or to drown out the kids' noise.
   
3. Take to the waves for real ... sea air, salt water the sound of waves and the wind in your hair all contribute to a growing sense of calm...this is on my very soon to do list !
   

See more Thursday 13 here or here
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13 Stress Relievers

Need a little bit of Calm ...don't try it all in one day !

1. Guided Imagery like this
2. Journaling ... blogging
3. Sex (I didn't write this)
   
4. Laughter( Lol Cats and dogs are a good start)
   
5. Music Therapy & Listen To Music
6. Take a Walk I have been every day
   
7. Plant a Garden - I love my rose garden
8. Eat a Balanced Diet
9. Enjoy Aromatherapy ..stop and smell the roses or a dab of Lavender
10. Reduce Caffeine Intake
11. Drink in Moderation
12. Don’t Procrastinate
13. Learn Assertive Communication Skills
14. Sign Up For The Free Weekly Newsletter For Ongoing Stress Relief Support!.

Read more advice here

Assvice of the day

1. Pray ... talk to God it works for me !
   
2. Dance to your favourite music ...when doing the housework or to drown out the kids' noise.
   
3. Take to the waves for real ...sea air, salt water the sound of waves and the wind in your hair all contribute to a growing sense of calm.I hope this is where I am right now if things went to plan ...thank God for scheduled posting.
   

♥

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